One Piece (SSW Backstory)

Chapter 26

Saphira's POV

"That should be the last one."

I grunt with the effort it took to pick up the small crate, "What the hell is in this thing?" Miss Poppy chuckled as I struggle. "Here kid, let me take that." One of Miss Poppy's crewmembers took the heavy crate out of my hands. He smiles as he effortlessly carries the crate up the gangplank and puts it with the rest of their belongings. "Ya need to build some muscle, or else ya won't be able to pick up a dandelion once ya're older." I pout as Miss Poppy ruffles up my hair. I sigh and try to fix my hair, only for another hand to come mess it up.

"Hey!" Leo gave me a big smile and jumped out of my reach before I could grab him, "Thanks for helping us." I huff as I smooth down my hair, only to groan when I realize there are now knots in it. "It's definitely been not a pleasure..." Leo could only chuckle at my words as he watches me untangle my hair. "I'm going to miss you guys..." I forgot about my hair and looked up to see Leo's bright smile turning sad. I felt a bit awkward, not really use to saying goodbye. Or more like, not knowing what to do or say when someone older than you looks like they are about to burst into tears.

"Come here..." Leo saw how I was awkwardly looking around, avoiding his eyes. I wanted to tell him that I'm fine, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me into a tight hug. I was stiff in his embrace, not sure what to do with my hands. I'm use to Mikey and Winifred being clingy and not knowing what personal space is, so this was the first time Leo hugged me or touched me in any kind of way. "Oh, hugs!" Mikey's shout made me almost jump out of my skin. He crashed into my back and buried his head into my neck. "Mikey!" He knew how much I hated it when he brought his face anywhere near my neck.

He only snickered at my attempt to remove him from my ticklish neck. "Are we saying goodbye already?" Angie put down a sack of flower that she was carrying, to come join the group hug. "No, wait! Let me just move first-" I was cut off when she ignored my words and joined Leo and Mikey in crushing me in their embrace. Leo could only snicker at my discomfort, "Hey, Donny and Silver, come join us." He looked over my head to catch their attention. I couldn't even turn to see behind me, but I know they were walking in our direction by the sound of their foorsteps.

"Wow, Saphira. I thought you hated group hugs." I scoffed at Silver teasing as she and Donny joined in on torturing me. "I still do!" I hate feeling trapped, be it between bodies or in a closet, I couldn't stand it. 'I think I might have claustrophobia.'  "Hugs!Hugs!Hugs!" I could see a glimps from between Angie and Donny's shoulders, that Ralph, Charlie and Winifred was approaching our group. I sigh at my fate, "Just get this over with already..." Ralph gave me a sinister smile as he picks up Wini and join in on the group hug. "We should stay like this forever." I glare at Ralph as he enjoys to add to my misery.

"Alright kids, break it up! It's time to go!" Miss Poppy was at the quarterdeck of the ship. She smiled at our little group, "It's time to set sail!" We watch as the crew run around the deck, unfastening ropes and releasing the sails. The group hug dispersed as everyone rushed to gather their things and rush for the gangplank. I gasp in air when I was finally released from their torturous hugs. "Stop being so dramatic, it wasn't so bad." Ralph grabbed my shoulders and brought me in for a quick hug. It didn't even last two seconds before he released me and rushed to catch up with the rest.

"That was weird." Charlie was next to me, as we both watch Ralph run up the gangplank to join the rest that was already onboard the ship. I could only nod, finding it strange too. We all know that Ralph wasn't one for physical contact of any sort either, so the sudden hug was a surprise. "Come on guys, let's go wave them goodbye." Silver grabbed my hand and tugged me along as we run down the planks of the port to stop at the edge where land meets the sea. Charlie picked up Wini and put her on his shoulders. Wini was screaming her goodbyes as she wildly waved her hands in the air. Silver joined her in her grazy gestures. Charlie and I was the only normal ones that did a casual wave.